GEOG100 Film Analysis: Carbon Nation Climate Change Solutions

This assignment is a detailed reflection on the documentary film 'Carbon Nation,' exploring various renewable energy solutions presented in the film, including wind, solar, and geothermal energy. It analyzes the potential of these solutions, particularly for the Pacific Northwest region, and discusses their economic, environmental, and social benefits. The assignment highlights a surprising statistic from the film regarding U.S. carbon emissions and the role of buildings. The author also discusses the film's inspiring aspects and proposes actionable steps, such as adopting "Meatless Mondays" and other small changes, to make a positive impact on the environment. The document includes references to the film and related resources.

GEOG100
Film Discussion and Reflection Worksheet
Carbon Nation: A Climate Change Solutions Movie
Submitted by:
…………………………..
Date of Submission: November 5, 2018

Table of Contents
Question No. Description
1 What are the different renewable energy solutions introduced in the film?
Please describe three. Among the three, which one do you think has the
highest potential for the Pacific Northwest region and why?
2 What are the benefits and potentials of renewable energy? Please address
the benefits and potentials from economic, environmental, and social
perspectives.
3 What is the one most surprising number or information you learned from
the film? Please explain why you found it most surprising and your
reaction to it.
4 What inspired you by this film? Please describe one action that you could
do to make an impact.
References

1. What are the different renewable energy solutions introduced in the film? Please
describe three. Among the three, which one do you think has the highest potential for
the Pacific Northwest region and why?
The film Carbon Nation has introduced several solutions for the climate change, especially in
U.S. Some of them are listed as
1. Wind Energy: According to the film, the wind power would be a completely new
industry and would increase the job opportunities and will be an efficient and a low-
cost solution to decrease our reliance on oil. The film quotes that the wind can turn
dirt into Gold.
2. Solar Energy: it is described as one of the fast-moving technologies which has a
potential to decrease the cost and turn it an efficient alternative source of energy for
residential as well as for the industrial use.
3. Geothermal Heating: The third solution introduced in the movie includes geothermal
heating. It can lower the amount of heat requirements through more enhanced systems
of Geothermal energy production.
The Pacific Northwest region of U.S has a lot of potential to generate energy via
renewable energy resources. A good amount of energy is produced by solar and wind
energy resources. Though there is a lot of scope possible for geothermal energy
production. This area, especially Columbia Basin and the southern Cascade Range is rich
in geothermal resources, both low and high-temperature. But these resources are
undeveloped. The resources of low-temperature belts have direct-use applications instead
of large impact on energy economy such as providing heat for buildings. Undeveloped
high-temperature geothermal areas of high-temperature belts are underdeveloped but are
potential to generate up to 300 megawatts. If these resources attain the condition of fully
developed stages, these can produce electricity for around 265000 homes.
2. What are the benefits and potentials of renewable energy? Please address the
benefits and potentials from economic, environmental, and social perspectives.
Economic Benefits: The renewable and clean energy is more labour intensive. The solar
panels which are to be installed need human power and the technicians play an important
role for the maintenance of wind farms. Hence, more jobs as compared to the fossil fuels
and coals are created per unit of electricity generated from the renewable resources like
solar and wind plants. Local govts also get benefitted in the form of property and income.
The electricity rates become much affordable across the whole country and stabilize the
energy rates in the future.
Environmental benefits: The renewable energy sources produce no or very little global
warming emissions. Also, the resources such as strong powerful winds, solar radiations,
abundant floras and faunas, heat from our planet, and fast-flowing water are capable of
providing constant and replenished energy supply. These are in-exhaustible sources of
energy and can easily provide significant share of future electricity needs.
Social benefits: The production of energy from renewable means results in improved
public health. The problems like breathing diseases, neurological damages, heart attacks,

cancer, premature deaths are inked with the air pollution caused due to coal plants and the
natural gas plants. Moreover, these resources are more reliable and less prone to large-
scale failure.
3. What is the one most surprising number or information you learned from the
film? Please explain why you found it most surprising and your reaction to it.
The “Carbon Nation” documentary is an amazing approach to open the eyes of the
people. It is surprising to learn that U.S. produces more than 16 terawatts of carbon
emissions every year. The sources which contribute in generating these emissions
includes oil production, buildings and transportation. It is strange to know that 40%
emissions come directly from the buildings. It is interesting to know that the military is
the largest consumer of natural oil. Both the frequencies initiate a question in our minds
that we are heading towards big problems for the upcoming generations. There exists a lot
of little things which we are still unaware of, which may lead to the next generation left
with no fresh drinking water, or a place where everyone would be suffering from one
form of asthma or other. The best quote of the movie, i.e., “When the military goes green
the country will go green.” Clearly describes that the citizens as well as the military both
contributes to the establishment of Green and Clean Nation. What surprised me the most
was the fact that even an algae can produce a huge amount of fuel.
4. What inspired you by this film? Please describe one action that you could do to
make an impact.
This film is one of the most inspiring films I have watched till date. It is really an eye-
opener. It makes a request for a better and a cleaner earth. It is the responsibility of both
the individuals and the groups. The idea of “Meatless Mondays” introduced in the
documentary is attractive. There are a lot of little things which we can do to save our
planet which involves use of CFL light bulbs, walking to school without any transport
just one day a week, applying white paints to our roofs, avoid using automatic water
distributors and toilets and even cutting down on meat. These actions put a much bigger
impact than we can imagine. These little actions can help us achieving our goals of
protecting our planet from being destroyed up to some extent.
References:
1. Cronkite.conversations.asu.edu
2. www.ucsusa.org
3. www.eia.gov
4. Carbonnationmovie.com